The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-11-03
PAINTERS FRANKS.
Some Pleasant Stories - Tricks
Played by Paris Art Students.


Played by Paris Art Students.
Messrs Robinet and Boudinier, members
of the Institute, were comfortably seated,
stirring their coffee in the smoking room Of
their colleague, Cabasson, when the latter's
servant came in and informed his master
that he was needed at the school of Fine
Arts.
who wants me?" exclaimed. with a
show of bad humor, Cabasson, who was
iust then lighting a cigar.
81 don't know sirr replied the domestic.
"All right Tell them to wait" said
Cabasson, and whenthe door closed behind
The servant he continued: 'That brute
never knows any thing"
lie puffed away for q few seconds, then
arising abruptly he said: "After all,
might as well see about 1t and get through
ct once. And he went out A few minutes
later the door of the smoking room flew
open, and Mr.. Cabasson, member of the In
stitute, appeared on the threshold, his face
as red as a ripe tomato, his eyes flaming
with anger.
"Why, what is the matterW inquired
both Ropinet and Boudinier at the same
time.
donep exclaimed Cabasson, the painter,
folding his arms and striking tragical at
titude.
''What devils!"
ssMy students, as a matter OF course"
'sNo What!n
swell, they took advantage OF the fact
that good old countryman, an uncle to one
OF them, had dropped in to see his nephew.
They coaxed the old fellow into the studio,
and, stripping MIN of his clothes, tattOoed
his body and limbs till he looked like
savage, after which they sent him out into
the streets in that outlandish costume"
Mr.. Boudiner, of the Institute, who still
had his cup in his hand, burst out IN
hearty laugh, which soon terminated in
choking fit brought on by some of his coffee
taking the wrong passage down his throat.
''You find that very funny, don't you"
exclaimed Cabasson in towering rage.
s.Well, how can help it!" inquired Mr..
Boudinier Jokes of that kind always
amuse me.''
"Hang it, they don't amuse me-" said
Cabasson, "and III prove ii right away"
"How so!n
''By kicking every one Of them out"
''Whati your students!" asked Mr.. Robi-
net. "Pshawl you take things too much to
heart. Here, have some coffee, and think
quietly over the matter for few minutes.
will agree with you that the joke was car
ried rather far but then, we have done just
as bad ourselves"
"Just as bad, if not worse" added DIR.
Boudinier.
''We?" exclaimed Mr.. Cabasson. "Nol
Never"
'Come, now! Were we not young our
relves once upon a time!"
"As young as you please, but we ever
were guilty of such outrageous behavior!
40! Morbleu, neverm
s'Do you think not! Well, just let me
tell you what did once, who speak to
you at this moment "
'Well, fire away, if it amuse you, but
hurry up"
''It was IN the studio of Father Bertrand.
You remember him, don't youl On the
Quay de Cont, exactly, that's it, between
the Institute and the Mint. We were
about fifteen rascals there at the time, and
ve could easily have discounted those
whom you style your devils This story
will prove the truth of the assertion.
''ft was one of those fine, warm, sunny
days Of June that awaken in the youthful
brains of sixteen an irresistible craving to
10 luCIS are SACCu lSehN Go anu grass,
desire TO escape from Paris like drove
OF colts flying from an unlocked stable.
One of those desires had seized US. Chatou,
Meudon, Bougival, there was but the
trouble of choosing. No, there was another
trouble! We turned our pockets inside
out, and the whole fifteen could only scrape
together three francs and a half. What
were we to do! 1t was then that one OF US
had an idea worthy of a genius.
'Ten steps beyond our studio, in hollow,
we had noticed double;door. What could
there be behind iti We know that it was
an extensive hollow, kind of su bterranean
cave, reached by a stairway, where the
crossing put away their brooms.
IN five minutes our plans were decided on.
Two would watch along the quay 70 give
warning of the approach of the police. Two
others forced the lock. In less than fifteen
minutes the cellar was transformed. The
brooms were piled up in a corner. Four
benches were brought down from the studio
und placed in rows as at theatet. Two
rod curtains concealed the farther wall. A
dozen candle-ends, in row on fifth bench
did duty as footlights, and the hall was
ready for the audience.
What audiencelaWhy, theopassers-by, of
course. 1t is only necessary to attract
tneIn- 1llS Is the business OF the J0rc6
stationed at the entrance which had been
covered with two flaming red curtains, the
second set of the studio, giving our cellar
all the appearance Of an outlandish tent.
.'Walk in, gentlemen, walk in 1t costs but
trifc; only twenty sous 10 see the most
wonderful curiosity in Paris. No, madam,
not you; ladies and children are not admit
ted. Only men are allowed in TO see this
most extraordinary curiosity, the only ons
OF its kind in the world"
Three or four passers-by, attracted by the
high-sounding announcement. pay and q
in. When they reach the cellar they take
seats on the benches, and are requested tc
wait till the hall is filed Little by little
the audience comes in. Eight, ten, twelve
spurred on by curiosity, come down. And
overhead on the quay the high-souadinG
phrases continue. Not even the shadow o.
9 policeman is to be seen. There Is goC
watching over iokers. This god, with th'
drunkard's and everybody elseis, makes
three. Five minutes later the hall is nearl,
full. Twenty boobies have allowed them
selves to be taken in. The cash is COUNTIES